Is The Giannis to Heat Move The Most Lateral Trade Ever?
The long-awaited trade of the Greek superstar between the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat is now complete – but are there truly any winners?
For over a year now, NBA fans have expected the news of Giannis Antetokounmpo being traded to happen at any point in time. Especially when the Bucks cut ties with Damian Lillard back last summer, punting on a trade that was supposed to keep Giannis happy, and the Bucks in the title contention mix.
After parting ways with Lillard, the writing was essentially already on the wall. But the Bucks remained patient in terms of trying to find the best possible package in exchange for the best player in their team’s history. After all, he won a title for them in 2021, their first in 50 years at the time, so they had every right to think they had all the leverage in the world, and if they had to hold out for the best possible deal, that was the right play.
And then, at the stroke of midnight today, they finally dealt him along with mainstay veteran Bobby Portis, in exchange for Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, three first round picks (including the #13 selection in tonight’s NBA Draft), a 2030 first round pick swap, and a 2033 second round pick.
In terms of what they got back in this deal, you could argue that they not only learned from the failed trade for Dame, but that they also might have got the edge in this exchange. Although it should be noted that they might decide to flip Herro for something else, maybe more draft capital. But this is very similar to the trade they made to get Dame, only they’re on the flipside of the return this time.
With all of this said, even if the Bucks do maintain an edge in this trade, my gut is telling me it will be slim at best. Yes, they needed to move on from Giannis, especially after it was reported a couple days ago that “he wants to leave the Bucks, not just Milwaukee” (whatever that means).
The package they got back in the trade isn’t bad, but it doesn’t scream “oh this a young core you build around” either. Herro (if they decide to keep him), has shown flashes of being a star in the past (especially during the team’s 2020 Finals appearance), but he has remained pretty inconsistent. Jaquez Jr. was a runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year, and both Ware and Jakucionis are still young and could improve. Throw in multiple picks, it’s not a horrible return.
But if I had to guess, I think Milwaukee wishes they could go back in time and get something better in return, probably around the Trade Deadline, where more teams backs were against the wall, and you could argue the Bucks might’ve had even more leverage than they already did.
While on the other hand, you look at Miami throwing the kitchen sink for a 31-year old who only played 36 games this past season and has only eclipsed playing over 70 games the regular season just once in the last seven seasons, you have to scratch your head and question their overall direction too.
Is this a star-chasing “legacy” move on behalf of team president Pat Riley, who’s 81 now and maybe tired of seeing his team barely keep their head above water? Possibly.
In my opinion, and this has been proven throughout the history of the league, when you make a trade like this for a superstar over 30 and there’s evidence that the wheels might be coming off health wise, it’s usually not going to rectify over time – in fact it’s probably going to get worse. Not that I wish that for Giannis, of course, but it’s a legitimate concern moving ahead given his age and the amount of miles he has on him (he’ll be entering his 14th season this year).
The Heat’s strategy doing this is clear, they’re going to try to buck the trend of high-octane offenses and go “Grit and Grind” Memphis Grizzlies on teams in a way. Assuming Giannis stays mostly healthy, a lineup featuring him, Portis, Bam Adebayo, and Andrew Wiggins is impressive and intimidating defensively.
But the catch with the Heat making a move like this is that it completely guts their depth, especially when you look at their bench. Granted, we still have the draft and free agency to get through but doing this deal on top of the news that their All-Star and best shooter Normal Powell probably isn’t going to return – they’re going to have to really research and work hard in order to strengthen this roster. Because as of now, they’re not competing for a championship amongst the likes of the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, and probably even the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Bucks will be in perpetual rebuild mode for three years, minimum, and even then, they’re going to have to nail their draft picks and essentially try to copy what the Oklahoma City Thunder did in terms of building their team. I like the players the Bucks got back, but I don’t necessarily love them enough to think they’re suddenly going to be more productive than we’ve already seen. Maybe I’m wrong though.
All in all, this might be the most lateral trade I’ve ever seen. Maybe the Heat somehow contend for a title with this infused star in Giannis they’ve now acquired, but I just don’t see it. If anything, this trade will probably serve as yet another cautionary case for the rest of the teams in the league that maybe waiting a full year to move on from your disgruntled superstar, isn’t actually the best strategy, because eventually that leverage you think you have will start to waver.
And that’s too bad, because when it comes to a player of Giannis’ caliber, a move like this should send shockwaves around the association and give a team like the Heat a jolt of confidence that they’re ready to compete for a championship again.
As of now, I just don’t see it.